Selling a house can be an emotionally draining process. After all, you’ve invested time and money into your home, made many memories, and now it’s time to move on.

But a few simple strategies can speed up the sale of your home and potentially maximize your profits. Here are six ways to sell your house fast: 1. Fix the outside of the home.

1. Decide on a Price

You made a big investment when you bought your home, so it's natural to want to maximize the sale price. However, you also need to consider how long the house will remain on the market and the type of offer you'll receive.

A good starting point is to have a real estate agent perform a comparative market analysis of your property. This will help you determine the right asking price.

You may be tempted to overprice the home in hopes of receiving a bidding war. However, this strategy can backfire and keep buyers away. Moreover, if you end up needing to reduce the price, one large correction is usually more effective than several small reductions that fly under the radar.

2. List It

A real estate agent can conduct a competitive market analysis to help you determine your home’s value. They will examine recent comparable homes, market trends and other factors to come up with a price that’s competitive and fair.

You’ll want to make sure your home is ready to be listed by having it professionally cleaned, staging and taking photos. It is also a good idea to have a pre-sale home inspection so you can disclose any issues that may turn off buyers.

If you choose to sell your home without a real estate agent, you can list it yourself on the MLS or a listing site like Zillow. You’ll need to take photos and write a description of your property, including any special features. Consider adding a virtual tour or drone footage of your home to further engage potential buyers.

3. Show It

The adage that clean homes sell is true, so take the time to wipe down bathroom mirrors and dust every day. Then, just before a showing, make sure all trash cans are closed and any valuables (like change in the dresser or prescription drugs in the medicine cabinet) are locked up.

Put away family photos, souvenirs and knick-knacks to give buyers an uncluttered view of your home’s space. They may be sentimental to you, but prospective buyers want to envision themselves living there, not you.

If you have pets, put them in a crate or leave them with a friend during home showings. Many buyers have allergies or simply aren’t comfortable around animals. If a buyer is turned off by your pets, they will likely never want to purchase your home.

4. Negotiate

Many sellers dream of a stress-free sale where they list their house, quickly find a buyer and hand over the keys. But selling a home is complex and there are many factors out of the seller's control, including location, competition, market conditions and disclosure rules.

During negotiations, it's important to understand what is negotiable and which tactics may backfire. It's also a good idea to have a trusted real estate attorney on hand to assist with paperwork, review contracts and ensure the closing goes smoothly.

During negotiation, it's generally best to avoid lowball offers, as they can turn off the seller and potentially discourage future buyers. It's also a good idea for potential buyers to ask the seller to pay closing costs, which will help reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

5. Close

Selling your home is a big decision, especially if you’ve lived in the property for a long time and made many memories there. However, if you’ve done your research and are ready to sell, hiring a real estate agent can make the process easier.

You’ll want to interview agents, ask for references and discuss market trends and seasonality in your area to find the right one. Then, they’ll help you set a fair asking price based on comparable homes in your neighborhood.

The closing process usually begins when an offer is accepted, with a home inspection and appraisal following shortly after. If there are any roadblocks, like a title search turning up a lien or an issue with the property’s condition, this could delay the sale.